Senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar praises Himachal Government's Cannabis Cultivation and Private University Reforms, Urges caution

Dharamshala, September 7, 2024: Former Union Minister and senior BJP leader Shanta Kumar has lauded two key decisions made by the Congress government in Himachal Pradesh, calling them significant steps toward the state’s progress. In a press release issue on Saturday, Shanta Kumar highlighted the state’s plan to legalize cannabis cultivation for scientific, industrial, and medicinal use, as well as recent reforms aimed at improving transparency in private universities.

Himachal Pradesh is set to become a pioneer in the controlled cultivation of cannabis, with the State Assembly recently accepting a report that supports its legalization for non-recreational purposes. The report, tabled by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, was approved on Friday, marking a major policy shift in the state.

While praising the move, Shanta Kumar cautioned the government to exercise vigilance. “Himachal Pradesh is already grappling with a serious drug addiction problem, especially among the youth. If proper safeguards are not in place, the cannabis cultivation initiative could worsen the situation," he warned. He emphasized that strict regulations must be enforced to prevent any misuse that could contribute to the drug abuse crisis.

The second reform Shanta Kumar welcomed is the state's recent crackdown on private universities, an issue that has long tarnished Himachal Pradesh's reputation. "Himachal has the highest number of universities in the country relative to its population—some districts even have three universities. Unfortunately, some of these private institutions have turned into degree mills," he said.

Citing a high-profile investigation from a few years ago, Shanta Kumar reminded the public of the sale of 47,000 fake degrees by one university, which reportedly earned crores of rupees from the fraudulent activity. Despite the initial investigation, there has been little to no progress, leading to concerns that powerful financial interests may have influenced the case. "Himachal Pradesh became notorious nationwide due to these fake degrees. The government's recent decision to tighten regulations on private universities is both timely and necessary," he added.

The Himachal Pradesh government recently passed the Himachal Pradesh Private Education Institution Amendment Bill 2024, which mandates that private universities submit annual reports and financial statements to the state Assembly. The aim is to improve transparency and accountability among the 16 private universities operating in the state. A government spokesperson stated that this amendment would enable better oversight of the financial activities and operations of these institutions.

Shanta Kumar also posed a pointed question to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, asking why no decisive action has yet been taken against the university involved in the sale of 47,000 fake degrees. He called for swift and transparent action to restore the state’s educational credibility.